The most severe drought ever recorded in the Central Highlands has badly affected 110,766 hectares of industrial and fruit crops, with 7,586 hectares completely lost. Local authorities are now focusing on restoring damaged crops, especially coffee.
According to the National Agricultural Extension Center, restoration methods must be tailored to each coffee plot based on the level of damage:
1. Coffee Trees Wholly Dried and Dead at the Main Branches
Table of Contents
The only solution is stumping for regeneration. At the start of the rainy season, cut all trunks 30–40 cm above the ground and allow 1–2 shoots per stump to grow as replacements. Alternatively, graft with high-yielding, high-quality clonal varieties to rehabilitate the garden.
After cutting, remove all old trunks and branches. Plow between rows to a depth of 25–30 cm and grow short-term crops to earn extra income. Replant shade trees such as durian or avocado to protect the coffee.
2. Coffee with Only Secondary Branches Dead (Main Branches Still Viable)
Because most fruit-bearing secondary branches are dead or withered, yields will drop sharply.
-
For coffee older than 20 years, stump or graft with improved Robusta clones.
-
For younger trees (<20 years), after the first 1–2 rains, new leaves and shoots appear. Identify dead branches and cut them out, removing old, unproductive main-branch segments to rebuild the canopy.
3. Coffee with Leaf Drop or Dried Fruit
These trees usually suffered only from late dry-season water shortages or lack of shade. Dried fruit will trigger excessive secondary branching. During the rainy months, regularly thin these shoots—especially at the canopy top—to keep the tree airy and reduce pests and diseases. Replant shade trees early in the rainy season.
4. Coffee Gardens With Minor Drought Damage
-
Pest and disease control: Green and brown scale insects often flourish in the dry season, weakening plants and encouraging sooty mold that blocks photosynthesis. Inspect regularly and treat promptly using recommended insecticides such as Supracide, Sumithion or Ofatox.
-
Fertilization: Apply fertilizers only after a few heavy rains when soil moisture is adequate.
-
Apply phosphorus once at the start of the rainy season at 500–800 kg/ha, broadcast evenly.
-
Mix nitrogen and potassium and apply in furrows 20 cm wide and 10 cm deep around the canopy drip line, then cover with soil.
-
To limit leaching and save labor, use slow-release NPK blends specialized for coffee (e.g., NPK 16-8-16-13S or NPK 16-8-18 +7S + B₂O₃ + TE) at about 1,500–1,800 kg/ha, split into 3–4 applications during the rainy months.
-
-
Remove water shoots and prune shade trees so nutrients go to fruit-bearing branches.
Recommended Stumping Technique
Stump 35–40 cm above ground with a 40–45° angle. After stumping, rehabilitate roots, intercrop to improve soil, manage shoots and fertilize as advised.
-
For single-stem pruning with a topped main stem, maintain two evenly spaced shoots about 10 cm above the cut.
-
For multi-stem pruning without topping, keep 4–5 evenly spaced shoots.
For varietal improvement, graft selected Robusta clones officially approved by the Ministry of Agriculture (TR4, TR5, TR6, TR7, TR8, TR9, etc.). Use wedge grafting (closed or open). After grafts take, follow recommended care. Remove weak or root-diseased trees, treat soil, and replant. Maintain or re-establish long-term shade and windbreak species such as Albizia chinensis, Leucaena leucocephala, or fruit trees.
For Gardens Slightly Affected (20–50% Yield Loss)
Maintain shade and windbreak systems (avoid pruning) and keep plant litter on the soil to conserve moisture. Cut dead or defoliated branches to help the tree focus nutrients on fruit-bearing limbs and reduce fruit drop. Remove water shoots promptly; if the canopy is uneven, reshape it. Foliar-feed when soil moisture is low to help plants recover and reduce fruit loss—spray at least twice, 15–20 days apart, at the manufacturer’s recommended concentration.
When soil moisture is adequate, fertilize as recommended locally, splitting the first rainy-season application of nitrogen and potassium into two doses to improve nutrient uptake and speed recovery. Apply all phosphorus in the first application. If using compound NPK fertilizers, choose formulas high in nitrogen and phosphorus but lower in potassium for early rainy-season coffee.
If dry weather continues, irrigate regularly but use only 40–50% of the usual water volume; avoid excessive watering. Replant tall shade or intercrop trees such as avocado or durian if current shade density is insufficient.
For Gardens with Adequate Irrigation and Minimal Drought Impact
Remove water shoots promptly so nutrients feed fruiting branches. Cut out weak or unproductive twigs. Apply foliar fertilizer if soil moisture is low to reduce fruit drop, at least twice, 25–30 days apart. Once soil is moist, give the first fertilizer application with N:P:K ratios as recommended locally. In June–July, spray specialized coffee foliar fertilizers to strengthen plants, reduce fruit drop, and boost dry matter accumulation and bean weight.
If dry weather persists, continue irrigation but use only 30–40% of normal water volume. Monitor plantations closely for mealybugs and control promptly. When about 10% of fruit clusters show mealybugs, spray recommended insecticides—e.g., Chlorpyrifos Ethyl (Mapy 48 EC), Profenofos (Selecron 500 EC), Cypermethrin + Profenofos (Polytrin P 440 EC), Spirotetramat (Movento 150 OD), or Chlorpyrifos Ethyl + Imidacloprid (Fidur 220 EC)—following label instructions. Spray 2–3 times, 7–10 days apart, for effective and environmentally responsible control.